Despite criticism from Arab leaders, US President Donald Trump has reiterated his desire to move Palestinians from Gaza to “safer” locations such as Egypt or Jordan, AFP reports.

The president had floated the idea to “clean out” Gaza after more than 15 months of Israel’s war had reduced the Palestinian territory to a “demolition site”.

Asked about those comments, Trump told reporters on Air Force One yesterday he has held talks in recent days with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who have historically opposed displacing Palestinians.

“I wish he would take some,” Trump said of al-Sisi. “We helped them a lot, and I’m sure he’d help us.”

“As they say, it’s a rough neighbourhood, but I think he would do it, and I think the king of Jordan would do it too,” he added.